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El Phenomenon: The career of Ronaldo 6 photos

El Phenomenon: The career of Ronaldo6 photos

Despair in Paris at 1998 World Cup – Ronaldo arrived at the 1998 World Cup in France as the most talked about footballer in the world. The 22-year-old scored four goals during the tournament, but confusion and controversy reigned before and after Brazil's 3-0 defeat to France in the final. Ronaldo was initially left out of the starting XI for the Paris match, before being reinstated at the last minute. He was largely anonymous during the match, with the exact details of what occured prior to kick-off still unknown.

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El Phenomenon: The career of Ronaldo6 photos

World Cup winner – Redemption came four years later. Alongside the attacking talents of Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, he found the net six times as Brazil romped through to a final match with Germany. In Yokohama's International Stadium, Ronaldo scored two second-half goals to give Brazil a 2-0 win and finally exorcise the ghosts of Paris four years earlier. It was Ronaldo's second World Cup triumph, having been part of Brazil's winning squad in 1994.

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El Phenomenon: The career of Ronaldo6 photos

World Cup goal machine – Ronaldo has scored more goals in FIFA World Cup matches than any other player in history. With his trademark quick step-over and a simple finish against Ghana in a round of 16 match in 2006, he scored his 15th and final World Cup goal to overhaul the legendary German Gerd Muller.

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El Phenomenon: The career of Ronaldo6 photos

Club success at Real Madrid – Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Inter Milan in 2002. After waiting until October to make his debut for Madrid, he ended the season with 23 league goals as Los Blancos took the Spanish La Liga title.

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El Phenomenon: The career of Ronaldo6 photos

Battle with wounded knee – During his career Ronaldo was hampered by chronic knee injuries. After scoring a stunning hat-trick in a European Champions League game against Manchester United and with Real on track for a treble, Ronaldo again succumbed to injury. In 2007, Ronaldo was sold to AC Milan having scored 104 goals in 177 matches for Real.

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El Phenomenon: The career of Ronaldo6 photos

Hanging up his boots – After a year with AC Milan and two with Corinthians in his native Brazil, Ronaldo announced his retirement from football in February 2011. In addition to his injuries, Ronaldo was also suffering with a thyroid problem which made it difficult for him to control his weight.

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EXPAND GALLERY

Sao Paulo football director Adalberto Baptista told the club website: "Ganso showed throughout the negotiating a great willingness towards Sao Paulo.

"He gave up big things and was firm in his desire. If it wasn't for his desire, we would had given up."

"It's a dream come true,'' Ganso was reported to have said by AP.

"Ever since Sao Paulo showed interest in signing me I wanted to get the deal done. I can't wait to get on the field and pay back for all the effort that the club directors put into this.''

Santos has also managed to negotiate a 5% sell-on fee into the deal after finally relenting in its stance of not selling Ganso to a rival.

Several European clubs including Inter Milan, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur had reportedly shown interest in the player but no bids were received.

The player made little secret of his desire to leave the club with fans launching protests after learning of his plans.

Santos' failure to award him the same wage package as Neymar is thought to be the chief reason for Ganso's decision.

The player will now hope to kick-start his career following a number of injury problems and a dip in form which cost him a place in Brazil's Olympic squad, where he was replaced by Chelsea playmaker Oscar.

And with the World Cup arriving in Brazil in 2014, Ganso will plan to show national coach Mano Menezes he is ready to lead his country's challenge on home soil.